A SUPERMARKET in Sawbridgeworth is extending its drive to become greener as it launched its own eco-bags on Tuesday.
The eco-bags are aimed at reducing the number of plastic bags used by store customers and at the same time, raising funds for six Sawbridgeworth schools.
Retailers Paul and Michelle Gravelle, who own Budgens in London Road, decided to produce an eco-bag in a bid to raise money for local schools while hoping to change shopping habits.
Mrs Gravelle said: "The introduction of eco-bags is also a crucially important move for environmental efforts in Sawbridgeworth.
"Each month were distributing 40,000 plastic bags, but our new eco-bags can help reduce that. If China can get rid of plastic bags, so can Sawbridgeworth!"
The couple will sell the bags for ￡1 each and the profits will be split between Reedings Junior School, The Leventhorpe School, Mandeville Primary School, High Wych CE Primary School, Fawbert and Barnard Primary School and Spellbrook Primary School.
Budgens is at the front of a supermarket rethink. Last month Marks & Spencer announced it would start charging customers 5p for food carrier bags from May in a bid to encourage people to reduce the number of bags they use and raise funds for green projects.
Chief executive at Marks & Spencer Sir Stuart Rose said: "We want to make it easy for our customers to do their bit to help the environment and our trials have shown us that they want to take action."
Although the Gravelles are not charging for plastic bags, they are providing customers with an alternative, while raising money for six schools.
They are also opening their doors to set up a ￡6000 schools fund.
The scheme which began on Tuesday, will allow customers to give back to the community and track fund-raising progress with an in-store fund thermometer.
Mrs Gravelle added: "Were so much a part of our local community that we feel its up to us and our customers to provide support for schools in the area. We hope our customers will be keen to help us raise our target of ￡1000 per school."
Each school will be given a two-month slot to organise their own fund-raising using the store. Leventhorpe School has been given the first slot for March and April.
Jo Rose, a member of the Leventhorpe PTFA said: "We have been amazed at the high level of commitment Paul and Michelle have given to plan and support our fund-raising activities.
